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| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Jun 11 2008 at 8:26 AM |
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2008 Canadian Environment Week Plastic Bag Reduction Initiative
Statistics state that the average family brings home about 1,000 plastic shopping bags every year. In Thunder Bay, that works out to 55 million bags annually. Three local community groups are urging area residents to make an effort to reduce their use of plastic bags.“This is Canadian Environment Week,” says Patrick Fenlon from the Zero Waste Action Team (ZWAT). “Make this a week to try to not take home any new plastic shopping bags—try to remember to take reusable bags everywhere you shop.”
The community challenge is being issued by the ZWATeam, EcoSuperior and Litterfree Thunder Bay in response to Ontario’s recently announced target of a 50% reduction in plastic bag use province-wide. Local retailers are also doing their part, by promoting reusable bags and encouraging staff to ask customers if they need a bag. (see specific retailer initiatives in the attached backgrounder). Tony Stapley, Manager of the Intercity Shopping Centre hosted the launch of the community challenge and is working with the Centre’s approximately 90 tenants to promote the use of reusable bags as part of their comprehensive waste reduction/diversion program. The initiative is an extension of the “Take An Old Bag Shopping” campaign launched by EcoSuperior and the ZWATeam last fall. Bumper stickers with the popular slogan are available at EcoSuperior’s office. “Lots of people have a supply of reusable bags,” says Jim Bailey, “the hard part is remembering to take them with you. We hope the bumper stickers will be a helpful reminder.”
View Jim's pictures of the community challenge media launch
http://www.ecosuperior.com/forum/viewforum.php?
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